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Washington鈥檚 trucking industry sounded the alarm during a State Senate hearing on Friday, warning that the state’s alignment with California’s emission standards will cripple the region鈥檚 long-haul trucking sector.

Truckers testified in support of Senate Bill 5091, a Republican-backed proposal that would sever Washington鈥檚 ties to California鈥檚 strict vehicle emissions rules.

Supporters argue the bill is a lifeline for truckers drowning under expensive and unrealistic mandates, while opponents contend it would roll back progress on clean air and climate change.

Why Truckers Are Pushing for SB 5091

For businesses that rely on heavy-duty diesel trucks, Washington鈥檚 decision to follow California鈥檚 emissions standards has been a nightmare. Trucking companies say they鈥檙e being forced into an impossible position: buy electric trucks that cost nearly double the price of diesel rigs and don鈥檛 go the distance, or take their business elsewhere.

鈥淐lass 8 trucks cost about $300,000 today, and they can work an eight- to ten-hour day on a tank of fuel,鈥� Brett Ferullo, owner of Northwest Construction company in Bellevue, said. 鈥淎n EV truck costs $560,000 and operates half the miles due to its charge. I鈥檒l now have to buy two trucks to do the work of one.鈥�

Barnes added that under California鈥檚 clean air rules, the price of an EV truck could skyrocket even further.

“This is not a trade-off of clean air versus profits鈥攖he current technology already reduces pollutants by 94 to 98%.鈥�

Steve Gordon, representing Gordon Truck Centers, which operates Freightliner dealerships across the West, echoed similar concerns.

鈥淎nytime you talk to a trucker, it鈥檚 a hyper-competitive industry. If you鈥檙e going to charge them three times as much for the initial purchase price, you just don鈥檛 find a lot of buyers for that,” he said. “Plus, they鈥檙e 10,000 pounds heavier. They go one-fifth of the distance. They鈥檙e just not quite up for the job today.鈥�

What SB 5091 Would Do

SB 5091 would put the brakes on Washington鈥檚 automatic adoption of California鈥檚 emissions rules and instead require the state to follow federal standards.

Republicans behind the bill, including its sponsor, Senator Matt Boehnke, argue that Washington shouldn鈥檛 be letting California dictate policy, especially when it puts local businesses at a disadvantage.

鈥淭his is about restoring Washington鈥檚 ability to make its own decisions,鈥� Boehnke said.

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Washington鈥檚 History with California鈥檚 Emission Standards

For nearly two decades, Washington has voluntarily followed California鈥檚 aggressive clean air policies. That decision meant tighter restrictions on pollutants, mandates for low-emission vehicles, and, more recently, a phased transition toward electric and zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs).

While California鈥檚 rules aim to cut air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, they go far beyond federal requirements. Seventeen states have signed on to follow California鈥檚 standards, but Washington Republicans are now pushing to opt out.

Environmental Concerns and Opposition to the Bill

Environmentalists and Democratic lawmakers strongly oppose SB 5091, warning that shifting away from California鈥檚 standards would make it harder for Washington to meet its clean air and climate goals.

鈥淯nder the federal Clean Air Act, states have the option to either follow federal motor vehicle emission standards or California standards, which are more stringent,鈥� said Joel Creswell, Climate Pollution Reduction Program Manager at the Department of Ecology.

鈥淲ashington is one of about 17 states that have adopted California standards. They鈥檝e already reduced air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions from Washington鈥檚 transportation sector.鈥�

Creswell warned that repealing California鈥檚 stricter rules would hurt Washington鈥檚 ability to combat climate change.

鈥淪B 5091 would repeal our mandate to adopt California standards and shift us to less stringent federal standards. This would make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to meet our statutory greenhouse gas reduction mandates and would likely reduce the vehicle models available to Washington consumers.鈥�

What鈥檚 Next?

SB 5091 is still early in the legislative process and may not advance this year. The bill had its public hearing on the last day when bills needed to be voted out of committee to stay alive. Some suggest the hearing was simply a formality, allowing Republicans to voice opposition to Democratic-backed climate policies.

For now, Democrats control whether the bill moves forward or stalls indefinitely.

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Matt Markovich often covers the state legislature and public politics for 成人X站 Newsradio.聽Follow him on聽